Program-clock.



PATENTED DEC. 15, 1903. F. M. SCHMIDT.

PROGRAM CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22. 1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1v N0 MODEL.

F. M. SCHMIDT.

" -v "1 1113mm CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 22, 1902. IO MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEIJT 2.

v 2X ea 511400114 01 m 82313 'K attouml d g N0 MODEL.

' PATENTED DEC. 15, 1903.

P. M. SCHMIDT.

PROGRAM CLOCK.

APPLIUATION FILED NOV. 22,1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

No. 746,998. PATENTED DEC. 15, 1903. F. M. SCHMIDT.

PROGRAM CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES Patented December 15, 1903.

PATENT OFFI E.

FREDERICK M. SCHMIDT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO SELF WIND- ING OLOOK (10., OF YORK.

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEWV PROGRAM-CLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 746,998, dated December 15, 1903.

Application filed November 22,1902. Serial No. 132,368. (No model.)

To 60% whom it may concern:

Beitknown that I, FREDERICK M SCHMIDT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the borough of Brooklyn, city and State of 5 New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Oommutable-Disk Prgram- Clocks, of which the following is a specification.

The subject of this invention is an electric 1o program-clock, preferably self-winding and synchronizing, provided with means for commuting the circuit from one circle of contacts to another, so as to change from a twelvehour to a twenty-four hour program, or vice I versa.

The invention further relates to details in construction of the commutating device and means for utilizing the same as an interchangeable seven-day cut-out, whereby any or every circuit may be cut in or out for a particular day or days of the week.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of the parts of the clock to which my invention relates, the dial being partly broken away to expose the working parts. Fig. 2 is a side view with some parts removed. Fig. 3 is a detail front view of the circuit-closing device of program-disk and of the com mutator-wheel, parts in front thereof being removed. Fig. t is a detail top view of the circuit-closer and seconds-arbor. Fig. 5 is a detail plan View showing the circuitclosing device of the commutator-disk and of the program-disk. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic plan of the circuit. Fig. '7 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the commutator mechanism for a simple twelve-hour program on six circuits, as hereinafter described.

In practice my invention is embodied in an electric self-windingand synchronizing clock; but the winding and synchronizing devices will not be described in detail, as they form no part of the improvements herein claimed.

The program or signal-sending disk 1 is carried by the hour-arbor 2 of the clock, re-

volving once in twelve hours. This disk is graduated in five-minute sections, making twelve divisions to an hour, as shown in Fig. 1, and on each of the radial lines representing the five-minute intervals the disk is perforated with any desired number of holes 3 for the reception of movable contact-pins 4. In the present illustration six such contactpin holes 3 are shown on each radial line. A corresponding number of insulated contact brushes or springs 5 5 5 5 5 5 850., here shown six in number, are mounted on the frame in position to make contact with any of the pins 4 which may be inserted in the holes 3 in the'respective circles corresponding with said brushes, and said contact-brushes are connected with individual conducting-wires 6 6 6 6 6 6, &c., extending to contactbrushes 7 7 7 7 7 7 normally resting on contact-bars S, but adapted to be lifted out of contact by movable pins 9, set in holes 10, arranged in concentric circles in the coinmutating-disk 11, which is carried by an arbor 12, rotated step by step by a ratchetwheel 13, mounted on said arbor and engaged by a pin 14 on the face of the programdisk 1, so that each rotation of the programdisk moves the ratchet-wheel 13 and commutating-disk 11 the distance of one tooth. The teeth of the ratchet-wheel 13 are fourteen in number, and the commutating-disk 11 has the same number of radial lines of holes 10 corresponding with the number of half days or twelve-hour periods in a week. The apparatus is thus adapted for a twelvehour program for six stations, or by coupling together in series the contact-bars 8 of two adjacent brushes of the commutator by conducting-plates S and arranging the contact-breaking pins 9 in alternating position in the successive radial lines of holes 10 the apparatus may be adapted for a twenty-fourhour program for three stations, as will presently be explained. This is illustrated in Fig. 1, and the several circuits are indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 6.

Wires 15 conduct the current from the respective contact-springs S of the commutating-brushes to relay-batteries in the several stations S S S from whence it is conducted to one pole of the common battery B. A conducting-wire 16 leads from opposite pole of the battery to an oscillating circuit-closer 17, from which it passes through the wire 16 and frame Ct to the arbor 2 of the programdisk 1 and thence by such of the pins 4 as are in position to the corresponding programbrushes 5 5 the.

To enable the sending of signals by such of the contact-pins 4 as are in position, the oscillating circuit-closer 17 is operated at fiveminute intervals by the following means: The body of the circuit-closer is of insulating material, mounted to oscillate on a pivot 18 and having an arm 19 drawn downward by a spring 20 and resting on the periphery of a minute-wheel 21, rotated by the clockwork once an hour and having on its periphery twelve notches 22, the passage of which permits the circuit-closer to drop every five minutes. The contact-arms 28 24 of the circuitcloser are connected by light springs with plates 23 and 24, separately mounted on the insulating-body of the circuit-closer and respectively connected by binding-post with the incoming wire 16 and the wire 16, which conducts the current to the frame a. The spring-arms 23 24 are kept out of electrical contact while the circuit-closer is elevated by resting on an insulatingboss 25; but when the preliminarydrop is permitted bysuccessive five-minute notches 22 in the minutewheel 21 said arms in falling are lifted from the boss 25 by contact with a small insulating-disk 26, carried by the seconds-arbor. A notch 27 in this disk, registering with the spring-arm 23 only and passing beneath the said arm once in a minute and timed to follow a few seconds after the arrival of each of the five-minute notches 22 in the minute wheel, permits the spring-arm 23 to drop relatively to the arm 24, causing spring 28 on the arm 23 to rest on the arm 24, thus completing closure of the circuit and sending the signal.

If the program-disk 1 has been arranged so that there is a plug under one or more of the brushes 5 5, 850., which overhang the disk, the said signal will go over the circuit of said brush or brushes. The signal continues for a length of time depending on the length of the notch 27 on the seconds-arbor. When the seconds-arbor moves a slight distance, it raises the oscillating contact-spring 23, 28 breaking the contact, and the continued rotation of the minute-wheel lifts the Whole oscillating contact device 17, so that it cannot fall down again until the five minutes have passed. This is to prevent the sending of a signal repeatedly if the cont-act between the brush and plug on the program-disk should outlast the brief period between the times of contact permitted by the passage of the notch in the seconds-arbor. Each rotation of the program-disk sends forward one notch the notched wheel connected with the commutating-diskof theseven-daycommutator. There is a line of contact-controlling devices for each notch of said wheel, and as the wheel is given a single-notch movement every twelve hours the wheel rests twelve hours with circuit closed through such of the comm utatorbrushes as are not lifted by pins 9.

By connecting in series the contact-springs of two adjacent brushes of the commutator and alternating the contact-breaking pins in the corresponding circles on the commutatorwheel, as illustrated in Fig. 1, different programs may be arranged for the successive twelve hours on adjacent circles of contacts of the program-disk. The mechanism is thus arranged for a twenty-four-hour program changeable each alternate twelve hours.

If each brush is connected to its own separate outgoing circuit, as illustrated in Fig. 7, the instrument is adapted for a twelve-hour program.

WVith six circles of holes in the programdisk six distinct circuits of bells covering a period of twelve hours can be operated and the remaining twelve hours of the day rendered silent by a complete radial row of cutout pins in the commutator-disk, or the sixcircuit twelve hour instrument can be changed, as above described, to a three-circuit twenty-four-hour instrument capable of sendingasignal everyfive minutes in twentyfour hours and operating three distinct circuits. It may also be changed to operate a single twenty-four-hour circuit and four twelve-hour circuits or two twenty-four-hour circuits and two twelve-hour circuits by coupling in series more or less pairs of the program-brushes and arranging the cut-out pins of the commutator-disk and the contact-pins of the program-disk as required.

The commutator-disk, with its removable and changeable contact-controlling pins, provides a seven-day cut-out arranged so that any combination of days can be effected by the simple method of inserting or removing ascrew-plug from the seven-day cut-outdisk.

Two holes are provided for each twentyfour hours, and by omitting the two screwplugs signals will be sent for the full twentyfour-hour period. By inserting one screwplug twelve hours are made silent, and by inserting two plugs the entire twenty-four hours are made silent. This change can readily be elfected for each or for any one of the seven days in the week and for any one circuit on the instrument.

The self-winding mechanism 29 and the going-wheels of the clock mechanism (shown in Fig. 1) do not require specific description, because they have no necessary connection with my invention and are well known in the art.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what Iclaim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a commutable-disk progra1n-clock,tl1e combination of a suitable cloclcmovement, an electrical signal device operated thereby consisting of program-disk 1 having contactcontrolling devices arranged on a plurality of concentric lines and movable on said lines to determine intervals of contact, a commutater-disk 1O movable step by step by rotation of the program-disk and having a corresponding set of radially-arranged removable contact-controlling devices, and connections 8 for coupling a plurality of said commutator connections in series whereby diverse programs may be transmitted alternately over the same circuit, as explained.

2. The combination with a suitable clockmovement of a rotating program-disk 1 controlled thereby and carrying concentric series of contact-pins 4 movable in angular position in the disk for different programs, the contact-brushes 5, 5 5*, for the several concentric sets of contact-pins; the commutatordisk 11 rotated step by step at each revolution of the program-disk; com mutator-sprin gs 7, 7, 7 severally connected with the respective program-brushes 5, 5, 5 contact-plates 8 for closing the circuit through the respective springs 7,7,&c. ,concentrically-arranged pins 9 carried by the commutator-disk and movable thereon, engaging with the respective springs 7, 7, &c., and controlling the closure of circuit therethrough at determined and variable periods, and Wires 15, 16 connecting with the several signal-stations S, a suitable source of electricity and with cir cuit-closing pins 4 carried by the programdisk, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a com mutable-disk program-clock,the combination of a suitable clock-movement; a program-disk operated thereby having a plurality of concentrically-arranged and changeable contact devices and brushes with which they engage, whereby diverse and variable signal-programs may be transmitted by the several concentrically-arranged contact devices; a commutating-disk rotated step by step by the program-disk, having a plurality of concentric sets of movable contact-controlling devices, commutator-brushes engaging respectively with the different circles of movable contact-controlling devices and severally connected with the respective contactbrushes of the program disk; conductors coupling a plurality of the commutator-brush connections in series; and signal-wire conducting from the coupled commutator connections, whereby diverse programs may be transmitted over the same wire in successive periods of the day or week, as explained.

4. In a commutable-disk program-clock,the combination of a rotatable commutating-disk having a plurality of movable contact-controlling devices arranged thereon concentrically and on radial lines; a series of brushes engaged by said contact-controlling devices in the rotation of the disk; connections by which a plurality of such brushes are coupled in series for alternative use; an outgoing wire connected with such connected brushes so as to transmit a signal from either of them; a program disk carrying concentrically arranged movable contact devices; a clockmovement rotating said program-disk; and brushes making contact with the contact devices of the program-disk and severally con nected with the respective coupled brushes of the commutator-disk, whereby diverse program-signals may be successively transmitted through such coupled commutator-brushes, as explained.

5. In a commutable-disk program-clock,the combination of a suitable clock-movement; a program-disk carried by the hour-arbor of said clock-movement and having a plurality of concentric sets of contacts movable in angular direction so as to be variable in time distance asunder; brushes engaging with the contacts in the respective circles in the rotation of the disk; a set of commutator-brushes separately con nected with the contact-brushes of the program-disk; conductors connecting a plurality of such program-brushes in series; an outgoing signal-wire common to such connected commutator-brushes; and a rotatable commutator-disk having removable contactcontrolling devices engaging with such connected commutator-brushes, whereby either of such connected commutator-brushes may be cut out and variable programs transmitted throu gh the common signal-wire,as explained.

FREDERICK M. SCHMIDT.

Witnesses J. GREEN, OCTAVIUS KNIGHT. 

